Pasadena CA vs Vancouver WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Pasadena
67,231
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Vancouver
37.5
Vancouver +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.5 | Vancouver + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 13.6% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 2.2% | 3.1% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 5.3% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $78,156 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $42,839 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 11.1% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 31.5% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 49.9% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 36.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 19.1% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.4% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.3% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.7% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 41.6 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.1 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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